Guest Lecture by Prof. Dr. Dan Banik “State Legitimacy and Governance in Low-Income Countries”
29 April 2024
We’re thrilled to share that Professor Dan Banik from the University of Oslo recently delivered a captivating talk on “State Legitimacy and Governance in Low-Income Countries.” Professor Banik, who is renowned for his expertise in development and governance studies, provided valuable insights into this crucial topic.
Professor Banik, in addition to his academic contributions, also hosts the thought-provoking podcast titled “In Pursuit of Development.” This podcast serves as a platform for exploring diverse perspectives on development issues, enriching our understanding of global challenges and solutions.
During his talk, Dan Banik delved into the enduring discourse surrounding the role and impact of the state in development, shedding light on various governance approaches undertaken by states in low-income countries. In particular, he reexamined the notion of state legitimacy in light of factors such as state scope, capacity, and resilience.
One compelling case study explored during the talk was the establishment of permanent and ad-hoc roadblocks by the police in Malawi to regulate traffic and combat crime. Through this lens, Banik examined the perceived legitimacy of the Malawian state among the general public.
The discussion, enriched by Professor Banik’s depth of knowledge and engaging delivery, sparked profound engagement from our students, fostering insightful discussions and prompting critical reflections on the complexities of governance and legitimacy in the pursuit of development in diverse contexts
We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Dan Banik for his enlightening contribution to our academic community and look forward to continued collaboration and exploration of development issues through platforms like “In Pursuit of Development.”
Guest Lecture by Dr. Ronja Kempin, “Reordering European Security”
08 April 2024
We are delighted to share highlights from a recent event within ShapingEU, where we had the privilege of hosting Dr. Ronja Kempin from Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik for an enlightening guest lecture. Dr. Kempin’s expertise in European security and defense policy illuminated the discussion on ‘Reordering European Security’.
During her presentation, Dr. Kempin provided invaluable insights into Europe’s foreign and security dynamics, with a special focus on recent developments following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Her analysis of the evolving EU policies offered essential context and understanding, enriching our perspective on the subject matter.
Following the lecture, engaging discussions ensued among our students and alumni, delving deeper into the implications of Dr. Kempin’s insights. These post-talk exchanges provided an opportunity for thought-provoking dialogue and knowledge-sharing.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ronja Kempin for her informative contribution and to all participants who engaged in this enlightening dialogue. Stay tuned for more enriching events within ShapingEU!
Ronja Kempin’s research focuses on European security and defence policy issues, in particular the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as well as France and Franco-German relations.
Guest Lecture by Prof. Dr. Özgür Ünal Eriş, “How will the ‘Zeitenwende’ affect Germany’s role in the world and its relationship with Türkiye?”
11 January 2024
Within ShapingEU, we had the privilege of hosting a guest lecture titled “How will the ‘Zeitenwende’ affect Germany’s role in the world and its relationship with Türkiye?” presented by Prof. Dr. Özgür Ünal Eriş in the course “Germany – a Federal System in Europe” taught by Dr. Matthes. The event brought together students from both Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Istanbul 29 Mayis University, providing them with an invaluable opportunity to engage in collaborative learning.
Following the enlightening presentation about German politicians’ various notions of this term and the resulting political demands, students engaged in a fruitful question-and-answer session, further enhancing their understanding of the complex dynamics shaping Germany’s global role and its intricate relationship with Türkiye.
Prof. Ünal Eriş, who teaches at Istanbul 29 Mayis University and specializes in soft security threats and European Union. Her expertise includes topics such as illegal migration and Türkiye’s role as a transit route between Europe and the Middle East, conflict resolution strategies with a focus on the EU as a conflict manager, European Neighbourhood Policy, external relations of the EU, politics of oil and energy security, and Türkiye-EU relations. Additionally, she explores the impact of the EU on the democratization of Türkiye and German politics. Prof. Ünal Eriş also holds the prestigious Jean Monnet Chair on EU Awareness, Relations, and Cooperation.
Brussels Excursion with the students from the course, Rule of Law and Democracy in the Western Balkans
14-17 November 2023
Our students, part of the ‘Rule of Law and Democracy in the Western Balkans’ course led by Dr. Claudia Matthes at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, embarked on a transformative excursion as part of the ShapingEU project in collaboration with UC Louvain and the Circle U alliance. From insightful bloc seminar at UC Louvain to immersive site visits in Brussels, every moment between November 14-17, 2023, deepened our understanding of the EU. Grateful for these enriching experiences! 🇪🇺📚
Opening Event of ShapingEU
13 October 2023
We are happy to announce our new project, a Jean Monnet Chair “ShapingEU”.
During the next three years Dr. Claudia Matthes will cover issues related to “Shaping the EU’s functionality and trust – internal reforms and policies for further enlargement” in her teaching and research.
On October 13, Our guest speaker Dr. Ronja Kempin (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, SWP) gave a talk on EU’s Foreign and Security Policy.
Including our guests from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Prof. Bob Jenkins, our students from the German Turkish Masters Program, Euromasters and Transatlantic Masters had an intensive and informative exchange on recent developments with Dr. Kempin. This was a wonderful and enlightning occasion for opening the Jean Monnet Chair ShapingEU.